Electrically operated accumulator



Oct. 14, 1952 E, TRlMAN 2,613,791

ELECTRICALLY OPERTED CCUMULATOR Filed July 13,-1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Ji 2 37 d3 75 52) Q 34 @E 27 3e l' 37 30 2.9

83 1 mi# L i3 4| L- r 5l 5 22 u u 2G Z4 .r 64" IU :Miri: 6] IL.: fl Ll] L 62"- 54 '-ff Oct. 14, 1952 E. L. TRIMAN 2,613,791

ELECTRICALLY OPERATED ACCUMULATOR Filed July 15, 1949 2 smETsr-SHEET 2 H6/i 105 zal o 67 6,2 70 je? as 104 66 az 1:: iif .ll' 67| E? INVENTOR.

Eugene L, Y'mafz Patented Oct. 14, 1952 ELECTRICALLY OPERATED ACCUMULATOR Eugene L. Triman, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Rock-Ola Manufacturing Corporation, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application July 13, 1949, Serial No. 104,411

8 Claims.

This invention relates in general to coin control apparatus, and more particularly to novel electrically operated accumulator mechanism for controlling the number of operations of any desired machine in accordance with the total value of one or more deposited coins of different denominations.

Prior art devices have been provided for this general purpose, including some which effect operation of the controlled mechanism in accordance with the values of coins of different denominations by employing electrical means for transmitting the different 'values to other electrical means associated with the controlled mechanism in step-by-step operations, each such operation corresponding to a particular unit of value; and at least one, as disclosed in U. S. Letters Patent No. 2,435,933, issued February 10, 1948, in which the total Value of each deposited coin is registered in a single accumulative action corresponding in degree or extent of actuation to the denominational value of the particular coin and effected in response to coin-actuated control mechanism. Because this control mechanism of Patent No. 2,435,933 is mechanical and depends upon the relatively light weight of a coin as the source of operating energy, it requires too much space and is too slow in operation for satisfactory use in some types of installations in which it is desired to employ such an accumulator.

A principal object of the instant invention, therefore, is the provision of novel electrically operated control mechanism for such an accumulator, that registers the total value of a deposited coin in a single accumulative action, which is extremely compact in construction and so rapid in opera-tion as to make available, for the actual operation of the accumulator, the greatest possible portion of the total time interval that is permitted for coin-responsive accumulator actuation.

Another important object is the provi-Sion of such an accumulator which will be accurately actuated in response to the serial deposit of a plurality of coins, regardless of the speed with which the successive coins are deposited.

Another object or" the instant invention is to provide resetting mechanism for such an accumulator which is electrically operable immediately upon selective operation of means for controlling or initiating actuation of the machine controlled :by the accumulator, so as to impart a debiting or negative actuation to the accumulator of units value for each selective operation of such machine controlling means.

A further object is to prevent anyone from obtaining more machine operations or selections than those to which he is entitled, corresponding to the values of coins deposited, by providing a switch in association with the accumulator resetting mechanism which is operable thereby only during the nal portion of each such 4debiting actuation to effect the operation of the machine controlling means.

Another object is to so insure against misoperation merely by employing such electrical interlocking, including the provision of a condenser which is charged upon positive actuation of the accumulator and the charge from which comprises the source of energy for actuating the accumulator resetting mechanism to render effective any selective actuation of the machine controlling means only when a positive value is contained in the accumulator.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of an accumulator unit embodying the instant invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, as seen from the right side of the unit, with the resetting mechanism removed;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the unit of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view, as seen from the left side of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section, taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4, as viewed from the rear or the unit of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a detail rear elevation, similar to Fig. 5, of the third or highest order register wheel of the accumulator;

Fig. '7 is a detail elevation, similar to Fig. 6, of the second or intermediate register wheel;

Fig. 8 is a detail elevation, like Figs. 6 and 7, of the first or units register wheel;

Fig. 9 is a bottom plan .view of the several coin chutes of a coin-receiving mechanism;

Fig. 10 is a vertical section through one of the coin chutes, showing the coin-actuated switch associated therewith; and

Fig. 11 is a schematic wiring diagram illustrating the connections between the various electrical parts of the instant accumulator unit and those ofthe operation-initiating mechanism for a machine controlled thereby.

the shaft 29.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings, the instant accumulator unit therein illustrated includes a supporting frame structure made up of two substantially U-shaped frame members, the first one of which comprises a vertical front plate 20, a bottom 2| (Fig. 5), a vertically disposed rear portion 22, and left and right leg portion-s 23 and 24, respectively, all formed from any suitable material as a unitary member. The second or rear one of these two frame members comprises a rea-r plate 25, secured by means of screws I26 (Figs. 2 to 4) to the rear portion 22 of the first framemember, and having forwardly extending side legs 21 and 28 formed integrally therewith and disposed in parallel relationship to, and outwardly of, the left and right legs 23 and 24, respectively, of the first frame member (Figs. 3 and 5*).

Extending between the vertical front plate "and the rear plate 25, andrigidly secured thereto in any suitable manner, is a horizontal shaft 29 'upon which are rotatably mounted three register i elements or wheels 3|, 32 and 33. These wheels '3|,'32 and 33 together comprise the accumulator, and each is provided with suitable hub member 34 rigidly secured thereto and freely rotatable on interposed between adjacent hub members 34 are spring clips 35 (Figs. 2 and 3) engaging suitable grooves in the shaft 29 which, together with the hubs 34, and the frame plates 20 and 25, retain the wheels in proper spaced relationship relative to each other on the shaft. An accumulator actuator in the form of a coil spring 36 (Figs. 1 to 4) encircles the forward end of the shaft 29, and is secured in any suitable manner at its inner end to the vertical front plate 2U and at its outer end to the first or units register wheel 3|. This spring 38 is adapted to impart positive accumulative movements or increments of rotation to the register wheel 3| in a clockwise direction, viewing Fig. 1, in a manner and under control of mechanism to be later more fully described.

The first or units register element or wheel 3| has a rearwardly extending rod or pin 31 rigidly secured at its forward end thereto and extending `parallel with the shaft 23. The second or intermediate register wheel 32 is provided with an aperture 38 (Figs. 5 and '7) through which this pin 31 extends, the aperture being longer by a predetermined amount than the diameter of the vpin 31 to permit relative rotative movement on the shaft 29 between the register wheels 3| and 32, for a purpose to be later more fully explained.

- A similar arcuate aperture 39 is provided in the third or highest order register wheel 33 (Figs. 5 and 6), which is longer by a predetermined amount than the aperture 38 in the wheel 32, and through which the pin 31 also extends. Each of the second and third register wheels 32 and 33 is provided with a rearwardly extending lug or iiange 4| (Figs. 3 and 5 to 7) struck from the main body portion thereof. One end of a coil spring 42 is secured to Aeach of these flanges 4|, andthe opposite ends of these springs are secured in any suitable Amanner to the pin 31. As is best seen in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, these springs 42 function normally to resiliently retain the second and third register wheels 32 and 33 with the lower or trailing ends of their slots or apertures 38 and 39 in engagement with the pin 31,

. which is. attachedto the first register wheel 3|.

These, several parts 31 to 42, inclusive, constitute interconnecting means between the register wheels 3|, 32 and 33 for permitting relative rov shaft 5s.

tation between the units wheel and each successive one of said other Wheels in different degrees, corresponding, respectively, with predetermined multiples of a single degree or increment of actuation representing a minimum value.

The periphery of each of the wheels 3|, 32 and 33 is provided with a plurality of identically formed ratchet teeth 43 for controlling rotational movement of the wheel, in a manner later to be described, and these ratchet teeth of each wheel normally are in alignment with the corresponding ones of each of the other wheels. The members 29-34 and3S-43 are the same as the corresponding parts in Patent No. 2,435,933, wherein they are designated by reference numerals 39-I U4 and H1B-H3. The means herein provided for controlling operation of these members, however, are entirely different than the mechanically operated accumulator control means of said patent.A

The instant control mechanism is electrically operated and selectively operable to effect a positive (clockwise viewing Fig. l) actuation of the accumulator by the spring 36 in varying degree, either for a single increment of rotation equivalent to a unit coin value, or single actuations of multiples of such increment, preferably two and five times greater. Thus, deposit of a nickel will result in the registration of a single unit of value in the accumulator, deposit of a dime will cause two such units to be registered, and deposit of a quarter will result in a single actuation of the accumulator equivalent to five such units. This control mechanism comprises extremely rapidly operable escapement means herein illustrated as including a latch pawl lever 44 pivotally mounted at the left side of the unit and having a nose at its upper end normally engaging one of the ratchet teeth 43 of the first register wheel 3|. This lever 44 preferably is stamped from a suitable magnetic material to fonn a pair of inwardly bent hub portions 45 (Fig. 3) spaced from each other and from the upstanding end of the lever that engages the ratchet wheel 3|, and a depending or bottom armature portion 46 (Fig. 4). The left leg 23 of the front frame member of the accumulator is formed at its upper edge to provide a pair of spaced hub portions 41 (Figs. 1, 3 and 4) similar to, and disposed adjacent, the hub portions 45, and a shaft 48 extends through these hub portions 45 and 41 to pivotally support the latch pawl lever 44. A coil spring 43 is mounted on the shaft between the hubs 45, with one end engaging the outer side of the frame leg 23 and the other end engaging the inner side of the lever 44 below the shaft, so as to urge the nose or upper end of the lever 44 into engagement with the ratchet wheel 3 The electrically operated accumulator control means also includes three similar detent arms 5|, 52 and 53 mounted at the right side of the accumulator in transverse alignment, respectively, with the three register Wheels 3|, 32 and 33. As best seen in Fig. 2, the outer ends of the lower edge of the right leg 24 of the front frame member are formed to provide depending hub portions 54 for engageably supporting the ends of a The lower ends of each of the detent arms 5|, 52 and 53 are bent inwardly to provide hub portions 56 (Fig. 5) rotatably engaging this shaft 55. 'I'he main body portion of each of these detent arms 5| 52 and 53 is channel shaped (Figs. l and 2) to receive an upwardly extending spring finger 51, the upper end of each of these spring fingers being secured to its related detent arm at 58, by riveting, or the like. These three spring iingers 51 are formed as a unitary member, the lower end of which is curved in spaced relation to the hub portions 54 and terminates in a horizontal portion 59 (Figs. l, 4 and 5) secured in any suitable manner 'to the bottom 2| of the accumulator frame. The detent arms 5|, 62 and 53 are formed from suitable magnetic material similarly to the latch pawl lever 44, but are thinner and much lighter in weight than the latter. The spring fingers 51, which preferably are formed of bronze, resiliently urge the upper ends of their respective detent arms 5|, 52 and 53 outwardly to normally maintain the same out ci engagement with their associated ratchet wheels 3|, 32 and 33. Such spring-urged movement of these detent arms is limited by engagement of their upper ends against the inner surface of the right leg 28 of the rear frame member (Figs. 1, 3 and 5).

The electrical means for selectively operating the accumulator ratchet control mechanism includes three electromagnets 6 l62 and 63. These electromagnets are identical in construction, each including a core 64, preferably of laminated highsilicon steel for fast build-up to maximum iiux, the ends of which extend a short distance beyond the associated ends of the insulated winding. The three electromagnets 6|, 62 and 63 are disposed in side-by-side relationship in the bottom portion of the accumulator frame with their cores 64 in alignment, respectively, with the associated magnetic detent arms 5|, 52 and 53. As best seen in Fig. 5, the frame legs 23 and 24 are provided with suitable apertures through which the cores 64 of the electromagnets extend, and these frame members are disposed substantially the same distance apart, laterally of the accumulator unit, as the length of the winding of the electromagnets. As will be readily understood, the accumulator frame members are formed of brass, or some other suitable non-magnetic material, and one of these leg members 23 or 24 may be bent inwardly after the opposite ends 'of the cores 64 have been disposed in the retaining apertures in the opposite one thereof, or the leg 24 may be formed separately from the first frame member and secured to the bottom portion 2| thereof in any suitable manner. With such arrangement, selective energization of any one of the electromagnets 6|, 62 or 63 will attract the armature portion 46 of the latch pawl lever 44 to disengage the nose at the upper end of the latter from the rst register wheel 3l while, at the same time, attracting the associated detent arm 5|, 52 or 53, to engage its upper end with -the ratchet teeth 43 of its associated register wheel 3|, 32 or 33, in a manner to be described in detail hereinafter, to effect positive accumulative action by the spring 36, that is, to permit the latter to rotate the accumulator clockwise (viewing Fig. l) a predetermined distance.

Electrically operated debiting or accumulator resetting means is provided for imparting negative increments of rotation of unit value to the accumulator. This resetting mechanism comprises a supporting bracket 65 having a vertical leg secured in any suitable manner to the right leg 28 of the rear accumulator frame member (Fig. l) and an outwardly extending, horizontal leg from which depends an electromagnet 66, which is secured thereto by means of a screw 61 (Fig. 3), the bracket 65 being of any suitable non-magnetic material. Pivotally mounted on a shaft 68 (Fig. l) supported by the lower end of this` bracket 65v is the inner end of an armature lever 69, the lower end of which comprises an outwardly and substantially horizontally disposed armature normally spaced a short distance below the lower end of the core 1| of the electromagnet 66 (Fig. l). At the forward edge of this armature portion, lever 68' extends upwardly, and is provided adjacent its upper end with an inwardly extending leg 12. The inner end of this leg 12 is bent rearwardly and has a ber or rubber stud 13 secured thereto. The upper end of the armature lever 69 is provided with a rearwardly extending stud 14 for pivotally supporting the outer end of a flat pawl 15. A coil spring 16 is connected at its upper end to this pawl 15 inwardly of the pivot stud 14, and is connected at its lower end to a rearwardly extending leg 11 formed on the armature lever 69. The inner end of the pawl 15 extends through a suitable aperture 18 in the right frame leg 28 and into close proximity to the ratchet teeth 43 of the flrst register wheel 3| of the accumulator.

Mounted at their lower ends, by means of suitable insulating blocks 19 and screws 8| (Fig. l), are a pair of upstanding switch contacts 82 and 83. The inner contact 82 is maintained in substantially vertical position by a leaf spring 84, and the outer contact 83 is backed by a longer leaf spring 65 extending upwardly above the same and engaging the insulating stud 13 at its upper end to maintain the armature lever 69 in its normal position of Fig. l. Energization of the electromagnet 66 will swing the armature lever 69 in a counter-clockwise direction (viewing Fig. 1) about its pivot shaft 66 and against the action of the leaf spring 85 to engage the inner end of the pawl 15 with a tooth 43 of the first register wheel 3| and rotate the latter the distance of one such tooth. Deenergization of the electromagnet 66 will result in return of the parts to their normal position of Fig. l by gravity and the action of the leaf spring 85, and the coil spring 16 will function to maintain the pawl 15 in engagement with the lower edge of the aperture 18 and to return the same to such position after the inner end of the pawl has been raised during actuation thereof by the trailing ratchet tooth 43. As will be appreciated from the normal position assumed by these parts, as illustrated in Fig. l, such debiting actuation of the accumulator by the armature lever 69 and pawl 15 will be accompanied by a closing of the switch contacts 82. B3 during the nal increment of inward or active movement of the pawl 15 and lever 69, for a purpose to be later described in detail.

This accumulator unit also includes a debit stop switch normally maintained in open position when the accumulator is in its zero position of Fig. l and automatically closed in response to positive or additive actuation of the accumulator. As best seen in Figs. 1, 3 and 4, this debit stop switch, which is indicated by reference numeral 86, is mounted in any suitable manner on the outer side of the left frame leg 21, and comprises a normally closed snap-action, single pole, double throw switch having a rotatable actuating member 81 which is spring-urged in well-known manner to close the switch. This switch-actuating member 81 extends inwardly beyond the frame leg 21 and is provided with an inward extension in the form of a wire 88 secured at its outer end thereto an extending inwardly pin 31. The nal incremental debit actuation imparted to the rst register wheel 3| by the pawl to return the accumulator to its normal zero position of Fig. l depresses the inner end of this extension 88 to rotate the switch actuating member 81 a sufficient distance to open the debit stop switch 86. Subsequent positive or additive actuation of the accumulator will move the pin 31 out of engagement with the extension 8B to permit automatic spring-urged closing of the debit stop switch 86. In order to prevent damage to the switch 85 by misoperation of the debiting mechanism after the accumulator has [been returned to its normal zero position, a stud pin 89 is provided on the rst register wheel 3| which extends forwardly therefrom to engage a rearwardly extending nger 90 formed on the front frame plate 20. The pin 69 and iinger 90 also function, in obvious manner, to limit positive or clockwise rotation of the accumulator unit (viewing Fig. 1) to one complete revolution.

Means are provided for selectively renergizing the accumulator controlling electromagnets 6|, 62 and E3 in response to the deposit of coins of different denominations. As illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, this means includes coin chutes 9|, 92 and 93 which correspond, respectively, to the coin chutes 15, 16 and 13 of the auxiliary coin-receiving mechanism 24 of Patent No. 2,435,933 previously noted. It will be understood that suitable slug-rejector mechanism is intended to be employed with the instant accumulator unit which will deliver nickels, dimes and quarters deposited therein to the respective coin chutes 9|, 92 and 93. As shown in Fig. 10, each of these coin chutes is provided adjacent its lower end with a slot 94 in an end wall thereof to accommodate the pressure-type contacts of a coin-actuated switch 95. Consequently, as a coin 96 drops through its proper coin chute, the switch S5 associated therewith will be closed instantaneously as the coin passes the same.

Figure ll illustrates diagrammatically an electric circuit showing connections which may be employed between the various electrical parts of the instant accumulator unit and those of the operation-initiating mechanism for a machine controlled thereby. In this wiring diagram, reference numeral 91 designates a battery, or other suitable source ofl electrical energy, to

which are connected a positive lead 98 and a.

negative lead 99. One side of each of the electromagnets 6|, 62 and 63 is connected to this positive lead 98, the other sides of these magnets being connected, respectively, to coin-actuated switches 95, 95a and 95h mounted in the lower ends of the nickel, dime and quarter coin-chutes 9|, 92 and 93. The other contact of each of these coin-actuated switches is in turn connected to the negative lead 99, the several electromagnets 6|, 62 and 63 thus being connected in parallel relationship. A suitable resistance |0| is shunted across the winding of the electro magnet 63 for a purpose later to be described in detail. A start switch |02 (Fig. ll) is connectable by a lead |93 to the positive lead 98 through the normally open debit stop switch 86, and by a lead |04 to one side of a suitable condenser |06, in turn connected at its other side to the negative lead 99. This switch |02 is adapted t0 be manually actuated to initiate operation of the machine controlled by the instant accumulator unit, and may be actuated in response to selective operation of any selector member of an automatic phonograph, in well-known connected to the negative lead 99.

the inertia of the latter and friction.

manner, if the accumulator unit is employed with such a machine. When so manually actuated, the switch |02 will be disengaged from the lead |03 and connect its lead |04 with a lead |05, in turn connected to one side of the winding of the debit or lreset electromagnet 66. The other side of the winding of this electromagnet 56 is The inner switch contact 82 of the accumulator resetting mechanism is electrically connected to the positive lead 98, and the outer contact 83 is connected to one end of a solenoid |01, the other end of which in turn is connected to the negative lead 99. Energization of this solenoid |01 may be employed in any desired manner to initiate operation of the machine with which the instant accumulator unit is associated.

Operation It will be readily understood that the instant accumulator unit is adapted for use with any desired machine, the operation of which is to be limited in accordance with the number and denominational values of deposited coins, and it has been found to be particularly useful in a wall box or remote control unit for an automatic phonograph. For any specific use, however, it is only necessary that the start switch |02 be disposed for manual operation, preferably in response to actuation of one or more selectively operable machine control members adjacent the coin receiving means. It also will be understood that the solenoid |01 represents any suitable electrically actuated means for initiating or controlling the operation of the associated machine. As illustrated in Patent No. 2,435,933 hereinbefore referred to, the preferred and commercially standard coin-receiving or slug-rejector mechanism has a single coin-receiving slot into which nickels, dimes or quarters may be serially deposited. In this manner only one of the coinactuated switches 95, a or 95h may be closed in any given instant, although they may be closed serially in rapid succession if a plurality of coins are deposited in the coin-receiving mechanism and resultantly drop through the coin chutes 9|, 92 or 93. To specifically describe the operation of the instant accumulator, it will be assumed that the same is in its normal zero position of Figs. 1 to 5 of the instant drawings. If a nickel is deposited and thereby closes the coin-actuated switch 95, the associated electromagnet 6| will be energized, as will be readily apparent from Fig. l1, and such energization will cause outward movement of the upper end of latch pawl lever 44 and inward movement of the upper end of a detent arm 5| to their broken line positions of Fig. l. Similarly, deposit of a dime or a quarter will result in energization either of electromagnet 62 or 63, respectively, to cause the same outward movement of the upper end of latch pawl lever 44 and similar inward movement of the upper end of either detent arm 52 or 53. Since detent arms 52 and 53 are constructed and arranged in relation to their electromagnets 62 and 63 identically with the relationship existing between electromagnet 6| and its detent arm 5|, the operation of the latter only will be described in detail, with particular regard to the timed sequence of its operation in relation to that of the latch pawl lever 44.

Each spring arm 51 is designed to apply only sufticient force to its detent arm to overcome The detent arm 5| is designed with just suflcient aeia'iei mass to provide a path for the magnetic lines of force emanating from the core 64 of electromagnet with a permeability sufficient to overcome the resistance of spring 51. Consequently, the mass of arm 5I and the resistance of its spring 51 permit complete attraction or movement of the detent arm immediately upon initial energization of electromagnet 6|, and substantially before the magnetic liield produced by the electromagnet has reached a maximum buildup. On the other hand, the latch pawl lever 44 is designed with a greater mass than detent arm 5l, and its coil spring 49 is made surliciently strong that the magnetic field of the electromagnet 6I is required to build up to an intensity near its maximum to cause attraction of the latch pawl lever 44. In other words, these parts are so magnetically dimensioned and the springs so designed that the detent arm 5| will be moved into engagement with ratchet wheel 3| at an instant denitely before latch pawl lever 44 is moved out of engagement therewith, upon energization of electromagnet 6|. And this resulting sequence of operations is uniform and positive. The reverse action occurs when the electromagnet is de-energized. As the electromagnetic field collapses, the level of intensity drops to the point where the eld is insuicient to attract the latch pawl lever 44, and the spring 49 returns this lever into engagement with ratchet wheel 3|. Thereafter, as the eld of electromagnet BI continues to diminish in -intensity, a level is reached that is insuiiicient to attract the detent arm 5|, and the latter is moved out of engagement with ratchet Wheel 3| by its spring arm 51. y

Since the coin-actuated switch 95, 95a or 95h is only closed instantaneously, and because the electromagnets 6|, 52 and 63 have a fast buildup to maximum flux, the resulting actuation of the latch pawl lever 44 and selected detent arm is extremely rapid, and the de-energization, resulting immediately thereafter by virtue of the substantially instantaneous re-opening of the operated coin switch, causes equally fast return of the latch pawl lever 44 andthe actuated detent arm by the springs 49 and 51. respectively. The arrangement of the pivot pin 48 of the latch pawl lever 44 above the cores 64 and of the pivot pin 55 of the detent arms 5 I, 52, 53 below the cores 64 also plays a part in the above-described sequence of operation, since it requires a shorter movement of the armature portions of detent arms 5|, 52, 53 to move the upper ends thereof a given distance than is required of the armature portion 46 of lever 44 in order to'move the upper end of the latter the same given distance.

The disposition of the upper ends of the lever 44 and detent arm 5| is such, in relation tothe ratchet teeth 43, that release of the register wheel 3| by the lever 44, after the nose of detentarm 5| moves into engagement with the latter, will permit spring 3B to rotate the accumulator unit a distance of less than the width of one tooth 43, but sufficient to move that tooth originally engaged by the nose of lever 44 to a position above the latter. Consequently, the substantially immediate de-energizationof the electromagnet 6|, resulting in return of lever 44 and detent .arm 5| to their normal full line positions of Fig. l, will permit an additional small movement of the accumulator by the spring 30, which is limited by engagement of the nose of lever 44 with the next succeeding tooth 43. In other words, energization and de-energization -of the electromagnet 6| results in incremental rotation of the first register wheel 3| in .a clockwise direction (viewing Fig. 1) of unit value or for the `peripheral distance of one tooth 43. Referring to Fig. 8, this actuation of the first register wheel-3| is l shown in greater detail, as seen from the rear of the unit. The broken line position of lever 44 in this figure is that originally assumed thereby, and the full line positions of the register wheel 3| and detent arm 5|are those obtaining upon energization of electro-magnet 6|. From this gure it will be clear that subsequent movement of the members 5I and 44 to their brokenrline positions will result in a total rotational movement of register wheel 3| for that distance subtended by one too-th 43. Such positive or additive actuation of units value of the accumulator results in the pin 31 moving from its normal broken line position of Fig. 8 upwardly to its broken line position 31a.

The result of such additive registration is that the debit stop switch 86 is closed. Viewing Fig. l1, it will be seen that such closing of the switch 86, since the start switch |02 is connecting leads |03 and |04, causes charging of the condenser |05. Subsequent manual actuation of this start switch |02 will enable the charge of condenser |06 to be discharged through the winding of the reset or debit electromagnet 66, The condenser |00 is so electrically dimensioned that its charge will be sufficient to thus energize electromagnet 6G to elect a single actuation of the resetting mechanism, but will not cause a second energization of electromagnet 56 due to immediate partial re-opening and return of start switch |02 to such actuated position. As previously described, energization of electromagnet 60 results in immediate debiting or negative actuation of the accumulator, through the agency of armature lever |50 and pawl 15, an incremental rotational distance equivalent to that subtended by one tooth 43. During the iinal phase or portion of such debiting actuation of the accumulator, the outer switch contact 03 will rbe engaged with the inner contact 82, and as best seen in Fig. ll, such closing of the contacts 82, 03 will cause energization of the machine-controlling solenoid |01. Even though the start switch |02 is held in actuated position, since the charge of condenser |06 comprises only a limited source of energy, the same will pass through electromagnet E6 relatively rapidly, resulting in almost immediate de-energization thereof. Following such de-energization of electromagnet 56, the resetting mechanism will be immediately returned to its normal posi-tion of Fig. 1 by gravity and the action of leaf spring 85.

If only a single unit of value has been registered in the accumulator, by virtue of the deposit of a nickel, such operation of the debiting mechanism in response to actuation of the start switch |02 will result in return of pin 31 toits normal position of Fig. 1 to open the debit stop switch 86. The several parts are so related thaty closing of switch contacts 82, 83 is effected just prior to such opening of switch 86, but the entire resetting action takes place so quickly that rapid repeated manual operations of start switch |02 can effect only single energization of solenoid |01, if only a single unit of value hasbeen registered in the accumulator by virtue of the deposit of a nickel. Likewise, the instant electrical connections insure only one positiveactua-- tion of the accumulator in r-esponseto the deposit of a single coin, regardless of the length of, im!-4 pulse delivered to the associated coin-responsive 11 electromagnet. The result is that a simple pressure-type contact or switch, such as 95, may be employed for coin actuation instead of the much more expensive type of switch having snap-action contacts.

Deposit of a dime will result in closing of the coin-actuated switch 95a to energize the associated electromagnet 62, and this will cause a single positive or additive actuation of the accumulator of twice the extent of that resulting from the deposit of a nickel. Such single actuation of the accumulator to register two units of value is accomplished as follows. The resulting energization of electromagnet 52 causes actuation of the latch pawl lever 44 in exactly the same manner as described with relation to energization of electromagnet 6|. It also causes actuation of the detent arm 52 in timed relationship with the operation of lever 44 in the manner previously described relative to actuation of detent arm However, the resulting movement of lever 44 out of engagment with the rst register wheel 3| and engagement of detent arm 52 with the second register wheel 32 enables movement of pin 31 from its normal position of Fig. 5 for a distance greater than that equivalent to a single unit of value to its full line position 31h of Fig. 7. This additional movement of pin 31 (and the rst register wheel 3| to which it is attached) is permitted and limited by the slot 38 in the second register wheel 32 through which it extends. In other words, engagement of detent arm 52 with wheel 32 limits movement of the latter to the full line position shown in Fig. '1, but at this time the latch pawl lever 44 is disengaged from the first register wheel 3|, so that spring 36 moves the latter until pin 31 strikes the leading edge of slot 38. Thereafter, due to cle-energization of the electromagnet 62, lever 44 is re-engaged with wheel 3| and detent arm 52 is disengaged from wheel 32, permitting a slight additional movement of wheel 3| and pin 31 to the broken line position 31c of Fig. '1. Since detent arm 52 is now disengaged from wheel 32, the associated spring 42 will cause a follow-up movement of the wheel 32, which is limited by engagement of the trailing edge of slot 38 with the pin 31 in this nal broken line position 31e, the wheel 32 coming to rest with its lug 4| in the position 4|a of Fig. '7.

The same type of single, multiple-unit-value, incremental actuation of the accumulator unit, but equivalent to ve units of Value, results from deposit of a quarter. Closing of the quarteractuated switch 95h causes energization of the electromagnet 63 to cooperatively actuate the latch pawl lever 44 and the third detent arm 53. Release of the rst register wheel 3| and pin 31 from its normal position of Fig. 5 as a result of such disengagement of the latch pawl lever 44, and engagement of the detent arm 53 with the third register wheel 33, will result in movement of these parts by spring 39 to their full line positions of Fig. 6, wherein pin 31 assumes its position 31d as limited by the leading edge of slot 39. The substantially immediate de-energization of electromagnet 63 to cause re-engagement of latch pawl lever 44 with wheel 3| and disengagement of detent arm 53 from wheel 33 permits a slight additional movement of the wheel 3| and pin 31 in the same manner as previously described with relation to actuation of the accumulator in response to the deposit of a dime. Such disengagement of detent arm 53 also permits the associated spring 42 to cause follow-up movement of the third register wheel 33, as limited by engagement of the trailing edge of slot 39 with pin 31, to the broken line position indicated at 39a in Fig. 6,- the wheel 33 coming to rest with its lug 4| in the position 4|?) o this gure. Similarlyto the arrangement of slot 38, this slot 39 is so dimensioned that the resuitingr additive actuation of the accumulator registers five units of value therein. The shunt load on the electromagnet 63 provided by resistance |31 is employed to slow only the decay action of this electromagnet by sustaining its magnetic field for a minutely fractional period after the opening of'switch 95b suiiicient to insure such proper operation of the accumulator unit, since it requires a slightly longer timeperiodA for the latter to operate through a distance of five increments of rotation, as compared with the time required for a single increment 'of rotation corresponding to a unit value. This shunt loading of the electromagnet 63 also prevents spurious energization of its coil due to poor making and breaking of the coin switch o.

It will be appreciated that registration oi multiple units of value in the accumulator unit, due either to the deposit of a plurality of coins or of a dime or quarter, will enable an equivalent number of energizations of the machine controlling solenoid |01 byrepeated actuations of the start switch |02. Each complete movement of this switch |02 from'its normal position of Fig. 11 into contact with the lead .|05 Aand return to such normal position will result in energization of the reset electromagnet 66 and re-charging of the condenser |96. Suchv repeated operations will be attended each by a unitary debiting actuation of the accumulator, and will be limited only by the total units of value .previously registered in the accumulator. The .previously described arrangement and dimensionng of the latch pawl lever 44 and detent arms 5|, 52 and 53 result in such low inertia of these parts and short distances of travel thereof as to use up a minimum portion of the maximum operating time interval which hasbeen .determined to be permissible.

Consequently, the major portion of such operatinginterval is employable for the actuation of the accumulator by the spring 35.

It is thought that the invention and its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and 'arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form-hereinbefore described'and illustrated in the drawings being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

I claim: y

1. In a machine of the class described having coin-receiving means including a plurality of coin chutes for discharging deposited coins of diiferent denominations, and an accumulator for registering the total units of value of deposited coins. comprising a rst ratchet, means for actuating said ratchet, at least one other ratchet. and means interconnecting said rst and other ratchets for permitting relative movement between said rst and other ratchets in degrees corresponding respectively to particular multiples of a unit of value; means for controlling operation of said accumulator, comprising a latch lever normally engaging said iirst ratchet to restrain the same against movement by said actuating means, a plurality of detent arms associated respectively with said ratchets and normally disengaged therefrom, and electrical means for selectively operating said arms and said lever to disengage the latter from said first ratchet and engage one of said detent arms with its associated ratchet, including a plurality of electromagnets each operable, upon energizeticn, to so engage one of said detent arms and disengage said latch lever, and a switch connected in series with each said electromagnet and operatively associated with one of said coin chutes for closing by a coin passing therethrough to cause energization of the electromagnet connected therewith, said electromagnets having cores horizontally disposed in parallel relationship to each other, said latch lever being pivotally mounted above and adjacent one end of said cores, and said detent arms being pivotally mounted below and adjacent the opposite ends of said cores.

2. Accumulator control means according to claim l, wherein said detent arms are formed of relatively thin magnetic material, and said latch lever is formed of relatively thick magnetic material with an armature portion depending below the pivot thereof and subtending all of said cores.

3. In a device of the class described, a rotatably mounted ratchet wheel having peripheral teeth, spring means for rotating said wheel in one direction, and escapement mechanism cooperating with said teeth to control such rotation of said wheel, comprising an electromagnet having a core disposed in the plane of said Wheel, a latch pawl lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends adjacent one end of said core and that side thereof nearest said wheel and having an armature portion at one end in close proximity to said end of said core and a nose at its other end spring-urged into engagement with the teeth of said wheel, and a detent arm pivotally mounted at one end adjacent the other end of said core and the opposite side thereof farthest from said wheel and having a nose at its other end spring-urged out of engagement with said wheel, whereby energization of said electromagnet will disengage said latch pawl lever from said Wheel and engage the nose of said detent arm therewith.

e. A device as set forth in claim 3, wherein said latch pawl lever is heavier than said detent arm to insure engagement of the latter with said wheel prior to disengagement of said latch pawl lever therefrom upon energization of said electromagnet.

5. In combination with an accumulator having a rotatably mounted ratchet wheel and spring means for rotating said wheel in one direction, electrically operated means for controlling additive actuation of said wheel by said spring means, comprising an electromagnet having a core disposed in the plane of said wheel, a latch pawl lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends adjacent one end of said core and that side thereof nearest said wheel and having an armature portion at one end in close proximity to said end of said core and a nose at its other end springurged into engagement with the teeth of said wheel, and a detent arm pivotally mounted at one end adjacent the other end of said core and the opposite side thereof farthest from said wheel and having a nose at its other end springurged out of engagement with said wheel, whereby energization of said electromagnet will engage said detent arm with said ratchet Wheel and disengage said latchpawl lever therefrom, and de-energization of said'electroinagnet will permit spring return of said latch'pawl lever and detent arm to their normal,r positionsgto effect additive actuation of the accumulator by said spring means, and electrically operated means for imparting negativeactuation to said accumulator against the action of said spring means.

6. Accumulator mechanism according to claim 5, wherein said electrically operated negative actuation means comprises Aa. second electromagnet, an armature lever pivotally mounted for movement toward said latch pawl lever upon energization of said second electromagnet, and a driving pawl pivotally mounted on said armature lever for engagement thereby with said ratchet wheel.

7. In a device of the class described, normally ineffective and manually actuatable control means including a manual switch and a condenser electrically connected in series therewith, coinreceiving mechanism, normally zeroized accumulator mechanism automatically additively actuated in response to the deposit of coins in said coin-receiving mechanism to register the total units of value of the deposited coins, debit stop means including a normally open debit stop switch connected in series with said manual switch and said condenser and operable in response to additive actuation of said accumulator to closed position to effect charging of said condenser to render said control means effective, resetting mechanism operable in response to each effective actuation of said manual switch to actuate said accumulator negatively to subtract a ysingle unit of value from the total registered thereby, and electrically operable machine control mechanism, comprising a solenoid and a normally open machine control switch electrically connected in series with each other and in parallel with said debit stop switch, said manual switch and said condenser, said machine control switch being arranged to be closed automatically in response to each such operation of said resetting mechanism and during the nal increment of operation thereof, said accumulator actuating said debit stop means upon its return to normal zeroized condition by said resetting mechanism, to render said manual actuatable control means ineffective.

8. In a device of the class described, normally ineffective and manually actuatable control means, coin-receiving mechanism, normally zeroized accumulator mechanism automatically additively actuated in response to the deposit of coins in said coin-receiving mechanism to register the total units of value of the deposited coins, debit stop means operable in response to additive actuation of said accumulator to render said control means efiective, electrical resetting mechanism operable in response to each effective manual actuation of said control means to actuate said accumulator negatively to subtract a single unit of value from the total registered thereby, a source of electrical energy, a condenser automatically charged from said source of energy in response to operation of said debit stop means in rendering said manually actuatable control means effective and dischargeable to energize said resetting mechanism in response to effective actuation of said manual control means, said condenser being recharged upon each release of said manually actuatable control means until said accumulator is zeroized by said resetting mechanism, and electrically operable machine. control 2,613,791 15 16 mechanism actuated automatically in response to UNITED STATES PATENTS each such operation of said resetting mechanism, Number Name Date said accumulator actuating said debit stop means, l 652 919 Walker Dec 13 1927 upon its return to normal zeroized condition by 9351982 Mills NOV. 21, 1933 said resetting mechanism, to render said manu- 5 2 069 180 Erbe Jan 26. 1937 ally actuatable control means ineffective. 2:1021531 Hoke Dec` 14 1937 EUGENE L- TRIMAN- 2,217,845 Mueller oct, 15, 1940 2,265,124 Andres Dec. 9, 1941 REFERENCES CITED 2,386,741 Hokanson oct. 9, 1945 The following references are of record in the 10 2,435,933 Toolan Feb. 10, 1948 le of this patent: 

